Newbie - Test Results, Foods, Questions, Help!

[sjs123 0]

Hi Everyone....Like many, I've been struggling for quite a while with a variety of gastro symptoms and finally on my own started testing and seeking an answer to these problems, then went to a Dr. for blood tests, etc. Right now I'm at the "overwhelmed, and totally lost" stage, and hope folks here can give me some advice -- it would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Here's the "Cliff Notes" history of my health....

Female 40's

Sickly kid -- not so much intestinal, but if anyone within a 50 mile range coughed or sneezed, I'd catch it, and would be sick for weeks..

Diagnosed with IBS by Dr. (no tests, just based on symptoms) about 20 years ago after severe bouts of stomach pains, diarrhea, not being able to eat etc., Symptoms never really resolved, just after a few years got more manageable. Came up on my own that I was Lactose Intolerant, which helped somewhat.

Have had serious problems with anxiety, panic disorder -- my life situation is seriously and severely stressful (my stress level averages somewhere between "explode" and "combust" ).

Have serious dental problems along with bouts of crippling TMJ (jaw joint disorder).

This past March I came down with a violent case of stomach flu and never really recovered. I've had uncontrollable diarrhea starting when I get up and getting progressively worse each time, up to 4X a day on a bad day. Have had a variety of other gastro symptoms - bloating, upper back pains that last all night, stomach pains, etc., Every now and then I have a quiet day and feel pretty good, but the bad days just wipe me out -- I feel absolutely awful, and life comes to a complete stop. The bad days far outnumber the good, and my symptoms are definitely not getting any better.

I decided (with the help and support of my mother, a former R.N.) I either had some sort of food allergy (I always described the violent nature of the diarrhea and symptoms that go along with it as I was being "poisoned" - not literally, but it feels like the food is not being digested just exploding right through me), or some sort of parasitic infection.

Discovered Entero Lab and did the tests with these results:

Gluten Sensitivity Test Fecal Antigliadin IgA 17 (normal <10)

Cow's Milk Protein Sensitivity Test Fecal Anti-Casein IgA antibody 10 (normal <10)

Egg Sensitivity Test Fecal anit-ovalbumin IgA antibody 10 (normal<10)

Yeast Sensitivity Test IgA 5 (normal <10)

Soy Sensitivity Test IgA 7 (normal <10)

Acute /Chronic Colitis Test -- Negative

Tissue Transglutiminase Test 7 (normal <10)

Intestinal Malabsorption Test <300 (normal <300)

So I came up positive on the Gluten, low positive for eggs and milk. Went to Dr. showed her the results and asked for blood work for Gluten sensitivity (not sure of proper name)

Results:

Gliadin Antibody (IGA) 3 negative

Gliadin Antibody (IGG) 14 equivocal

Tissue Transglutiminase antibody <3 negative

Tissue Transglutiminase antibody <3 negative

Only high was on the IGG -- Doctor mailed me the results with no explanation. When I went in originally with the Entero Lab tests, I asked if I was wheat sensitive she said yes, but did not elaborate at all on what to do - her answer to my mostly all wheat diet was "Eat fruit" - (not acceptable!!) Also did a parasite infection test, but have not heard back about that yet.

I've attempted on a "good day" to purchase some Gluten Free products, and have tried a variety of muffin mixes, breads, premade rolls, etc., with BAD results, as the next day after eating any of these items I had massive diarrhea attacks....As all these products either contained eggs, or were made by me using eggs. I'm thinking that the big increase in eggs (I was right over the borderline for egg sensitivity) is what did me in.....I am now LOST as to how to proceed and back to my all gluten diet until I can figure things out.

I just ordered some breads (expensive!!!) with no gluten, eggs, or milk -- is this the way to go?

Am I indeed Gluten Sensitive even though my scores are fairly low?

I am completely overwhelmed at this point as I just found out that even my SHAMPOO contains wheat!!! YIKES!!

I want to substitute what I'm presently eating now for gluten free versions, but my stomach doesn't seem to be happy with the new foods either -- what do I do, what do I try???

Any help, advice would be greatly appreciated..

Thank you so much,

sjs

[Belinda Meeker 0]

Hi Everyone....Like many, I've been struggling for quite a while with a variety of gastro symptoms and finally on my own started testing and seeking an answer to these problems, then went to a Dr. for blood tests, etc. Right now I'm at the "overwhelmed, and totally lost" stage, and hope folks here can give me some advice -- it would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Here's the "Cliff Notes" history of my health....

Female 40's

Sickly kid -- not so much intestinal, but if anyone within a 50 mile range coughed or sneezed, I'd catch it, and would be sick for weeks..

Diagnosed with IBS by Dr. (no tests, just based on symptoms) about 20 years ago after severe bouts of stomach pains, diarrhea, not being able to eat etc., Symptoms never really resolved, just after a few years got more manageable. Came up on my own that I was Lactose Intolerant, which helped somewhat.

Have had serious problems with anxiety, panic disorder -- my life situation is seriously and severely stressful (my stress level averages somewhere between "explode" and "combust" ).

Have serious dental problems along with bouts of crippling TMJ (jaw joint disorder).

This past March I came down with a violent case of stomach flu and never really recovered. I've had uncontrollable diarrhea starting when I get up and getting progressively worse each time, up to 4X a day on a bad day. Have had a variety of other gastro symptoms - bloating, upper back pains that last all night, stomach pains, etc., Every now and then I have a quiet day and feel pretty good, but the bad days just wipe me out -- I feel absolutely awful, and life comes to a complete stop. The bad days far outnumber the good, and my symptoms are definitely not getting any better.

I decided (with the help and support of my mother, a former R.N.) I either had some sort of food allergy (I always described the violent nature of the diarrhea and symptoms that go along with it as I was being "poisoned" - not literally, but it feels like the food is not being digested just exploding right through me), or some sort of parasitic infection.

Discovered Entero Lab and did the tests with these results:

Gluten Sensitivity Test Fecal Antigliadin IgA 17 (normal <10)

Cow's Milk Protein Sensitivity Test Fecal Anti-Casein IgA antibody 10 (normal <10)

Egg Sensitivity Test Fecal anit-ovalbumin IgA antibody 10 (normal<10)

Yeast Sensitivity Test IgA 5 (normal <10)

Soy Sensitivity Test IgA 7 (normal <10)

Acute /Chronic Colitis Test -- Negative

Tissue Transglutiminase Test 7 (normal <10)

Intestinal Malabsorption Test <300 (normal <300)

So I came up positive on the Gluten, low positive for eggs and milk. Went to Dr. showed her the results and asked for blood work for Gluten sensitivity (not sure of proper name)

Results:

Gliadin Antibody (IGA) 3 negative

Gliadin Antibody (IGG) 14 equivocal

Tissue Transglutiminase antibody <3 negative

Tissue Transglutiminase antibody <3 negative

Only high was on the IGG -- Doctor mailed me the results with no explanation. When I went in originally with the Entero Lab tests, I asked if I was wheat sensitive she said yes, but did not elaborate at all on what to do - her answer to my mostly all wheat diet was "Eat fruit" - (not acceptable!!) Also did a parasite infection test, but have not heard back about that yet.

I've attempted on a "good day" to purchase some Gluten Free products, and have tried a variety of muffin mixes, breads, premade rolls, etc., with BAD results, as the next day after eating any of these items I had massive diarrhea attacks....As all these products either contained eggs, or were made by me using eggs. I'm thinking that the big increase in eggs (I was right over the borderline for egg sensitivity) is what did me in.....I am now LOST as to how to proceed and back to my all gluten diet until I can figure things out.

I just ordered some breads (expensive!!!) with no gluten, eggs, or milk -- is this the way to go?

Am I indeed Gluten Sensitive even though my scores are fairly low?

I am completely overwhelmed at this point as I just found out that even my SHAMPOO contains wheat!!! YIKES!!

I want to substitute what I'm presently eating now for gluten free versions, but my stomach doesn't seem to be happy with the new foods either -- what do I do, what do I try???

Any help, advice would be greatly appreciated..

Thank you so much,

sjs

Hi sjs,

You sound just like I was before I dx'd myself and then was confermined not by test but the dh on my foot lol

And my advice is until your belly settles don't put anything in it that's going to aggervte it at all,

I started with small amounts of one food my stomache could handle and ate it for many days then tried a new one and so on.

When I first started going gluten-free I too had still spats of D and it takes time for all the junk from the way we ate before to get out of our systems.

I was also lactose intolerant so I thought, but it was the gluten still in my dairy or like most of us when first dx'd with Celiacs tend to be lactose too.

So for the best at this time in what u r eating would to try things one at a time and if you do okay then eat the heck out of it til u think you r ready to try something new.

I stick too still things like white potaoes baked, and rice, soft things like jello (gluten-free).

I have just like in the past few months added other things like my gluten-free pizza's I make and chili, corn dogs and taco in a bag.

So there's hope!

Just start slow til your belly settles down some,my hubby had alot of bloat and gas and he takes some herbs for that and a yogurt (gluten-free) daily

Good Luck!

Bea

[darlindeb25 5]

To begin with, in the beginning, you should go very simple. Give you poor tummy a break and eat very simply. Rice, potatoes, chicken. Simple foods, not processed. Gluten free flours are very heavy and can upset a touchy tummy too, simply because they are new to your system. Go gluten free, give up all gluten, but go whole foods, and light for a while and yes, watch all of your other products too, such as shampoo, lotions, soaps, and such. I think this will help you so much more.

Once your tummy has had a chance to calm down, then start trying some of the gluten free products, slowly. Gluten free breads are very heavy and I have never gotten used to them. Give yourself some time to heal, then move on.

[Ursa Major 5]

You appear to be in the same boat I was in two years ago. From May to October of 2005 I had chronic, watery, explosive diarrhea, which didn't let up for even a day. I had been unwell from the age of three, until the age of 52, without anybody ever suspecting gluten.

When I figured out the gluten connection, I quit eating gluten that very day. The diarrhea stopped by the next day, my back aches started getting better the day after, and I was off codeine for severe fibromyalgia pains after two weeks.

My stomach/intestines appeared to be in such a bad state, that I was completely unable to tolerate any starches/grains, raw vegetables and fruits, eggs, soy and dairy for six months. I had been diagnosed with a nightshade intolerance a few years before that.

For six months I only ate easy to digest foods, like well cooked vegetables and fruits, boiled chicken and fish, and drank only water or chamomile tea. I couldn't even eat a salad without being doubled over with severe cramps and diarrhea within half an hour.

I still don't do very well with raw vegetables. Some fruit is okay, though.

So, I suggest to forget about replacing any of your gluten foods with the same kind of gluten-free ones for several months. Your digestive system can't handle those yet.

And you may not just be intolerant to lactose, but to casein (meaning ALL dairy). It would be good if you would stop eating all dairy and soy for the time being, along with everything else hard to digest (which include all of the gluten replacement foods you can buy).

I hope you feel better soon.

[sjs123 0]

THANKS SO MUCH!! Your replies have been so helpful... I guess I attempted to go a bit too fast with the gluten replacement foods.....I have no luck with fruits, juices or vegetables, and have always eaten a lot of carbs (breads, cake, pizza, etc.,) to keep my weight up which is a big concern of mine (I've always been thin and have a hard time keeping weight on). I want to sub out my present bread for gluten free bread, but my tummy says "NO!!" to the gluten free stuff.

My blood test came back equivocal on the IGG test (14) -- normal is below 11

Entero Lab test was a positive 17 for the Fecal Antigliadin -- normal below 10

I'm right over the borderline for milk and eggs 10 -- normal below 10

Good on soy and yeast with scores of 7 and 5.

I'll keep working on it -- I just want to FEEL GOOD and not have to worry every time I even attempt to go out and do anything -- it's so very discouraging - UGHHHH!! This year has been the absolute PITS

Sue